Cotton-knife.



J. R. BOWERS.

COTTON KNIFE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.3. 1915.

Patented May 9,1916.

Witnesses UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB R. BOWERS, OF WAELDER, TEXAS.

COTTON-KNIFE.

Application filed August 3, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB R. BowERs, a citizen of the United States, residing at VVaelder, in the county of Gonzales and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Cotton-Knife, of which the following is a specification.

The device forming thesubject matter of this application is adapted to be employed for sampling bales of cotton, and with this end in view, the structure embodies a blade adapted to be used in cutting the bagging of the cotton, and a hook whereby a sample of cotton may be plucked out.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a knife of this type having a removable blade, and to provide novel means whereby the blade may be held in place de tachably.

The invention aims to provide novel means whereby the blade may be removed readily.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing:Figure 1 shows in side elevation, a knife embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an elevation wherein the knife is viewed at right angles to the showing of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 44 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a fragmental longitudinal section on an enlarged scale taken through the blade clamping screw and attendant parts; Fig. 6 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of the blade clamping screw.

The knife forming the subject matter of this application embodies a bar 1, made of metal, and in the form of a rod, the bar terminating in a hook 2 adapted to be employed for removing samples of cotton from a bale. In one edge, the bar 1 is provided with a longitudinal. seat 3 in the form of a slot, defining walls 4 and 5. Intermediate Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9, 1916.

Serial No. 43,466.

the ends of the knife, the wall 5 is cut away to define a transverse shoulder 6, the wall 4 being prolonged beyond the shoulder 6 to fashion a thin handle 7 to the opposite sides of which, grips 8 and 9 are applied, the grips being held on the handle by means of attaching elements 10. As shown best in Figs. 1 and 3 the grip 9 buts against the shoulder 6 formed at the end of the wall 5, and thus the knife is reinforced against lateral bending. Projecting from the handle 7 is a prong 20 which is adapted to receive the forefinger of the hand of an operator. Near the hook 2, a rivet 11 or like projection is mounted in the bar 1, the rivet extending across the slot or seat 3. Threaded as shown at 12 into the wall 4 adjacent the prong 20 is'a screw 14 having a head 15 received in an opening 16 in the wall 5, there being a screw-driver kerf 17 in the head 15. In the side face of the wall 5 there is formed a mark or notch 19, adapted to cooperate with the screw-driver kerf 17 in a manner to be pointed out hereinafter. The screw 14 is provided, as shown best in Figs. 5 and 6 with a transverse notch 18.

The invention comprises a cutting blade 21 which is removably seated in the slot 3. At one end, the blade 21 is supplied with a notch 22 defining a finger 23 which engages beneath the rivet or projection 11 to hold one end of the blade in the slot 3. At its other end, the blade 21 is provided with an inclined edge 24. When the screw-driver kerf 17 is out of alinement with the mark 19. the screw 14 bears against the inclined edge 24 of the blade 21 and holds the blade in the slot 3. If, however, the screw 14 is rotated until, as shown in Fig. 1, the screwdriver kerf 17 is alined with the mark 19 then the slot 18 in the screw 14 is so disposed with respect to the end of the blade 21 that the said end of the blade may be removed through the slot, after which the finger 23 may be withdrawn from beneath the projection 11, a ready detachment of the blade thus being brought about.

As clearly shown at 26, the walls 4 and 5 of the bar 1 are laterally enlarged. This lateral enlargement of the walls produces three functions. First, it effects a reinforcement of the walls about the openings in which the screw 14 is mounted; secondly, it defines a pair of cooperating clamping jaws 27 which may be tightened down onto the blade 21 by the action of the screw 14; and

third, it defines a fulcrum for a prying-tool (not shown) which, being inserted into a notch or seat 25 in the blade 21, may be used for loosening the blade.

In practical operation, the screw 14 is given a partial rotation until the screwdriver kerf 17 is lined up with the mark 19, the slot 18 in the screw thereupon being so disposed that the inner end of the blade 21 10 may be swung outwardly through the slot,

the finger 23 being withdrawn from beneath the projection 11. A dull blade, therefore, at any time may be replaced by a sharp blade or be removed for sharpening.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed is A knife of the class described comprising Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the a bar having a longitudinal slot and provided with a transverse opening; a blade mounted in the slot and having a prying tool seat; and a blade-engaging screw threaded into the opening; the bar being laterally enlarged adjacent the opening and the seat to form cooperating, blade gripping jaws and to form a prying tool fulcrum coacting with the seat.

In testimony that 1 claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JACOB R. BOWERS.

Witnesses:

VVM. CAMPBELL, Jon JOHNSTON,

commissioner of Patents,

Washington, 10:0. 

